My dad got a small lath from Pennstate. It was a good one, and wasn't that expensive. I believe it was a Carba Tech and he used it allot. I have it now since his passing. I remember he said the Jet was a really good one. Pennstate sells thing for making home made pens and other small items. They also sell allot of exotic woods.
Help Choosing a Lathe
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CrackStock
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Bullfrog said:
In looking at your post, I see mention of your intent to turn plugs and bases. The 10 inch will do okay for this purpose and would be an okay start, but there are some limits. When you soon decide to turn the horn body in the lathe to better fit your horns to the great plugs and tips that you start making, you will find the small throw very limiting. I have used the Penn 12 inch for a lot of butt and tip turning and it is strong enough and precise enough - once you learn to twist the head counter clockwise into its true spot! The variable range is a pleasure. We customized the rest and other items for horn work. But the ability to mount the head outboard brings the work to a whole new level. (That Penn State lathe will not go outboard.) Your quality improves drastically. (On the other hand, you will bust your knuckles if not extremely careful.) We used 3 lathes - 12 inch Turn Commander which is a very good lathe. You could do as my friend did and get an old second lathe for outboard work in the future. An old Grizzly was our outboard and we had a small metal lathe for very precise work.
As I moved from my friend's shop and am now on my own, I am looking at the Harbor Freight midi lathe with the head that swivels 180 degrees to its outboard rest mount. (I would appreciate any feedback regarding the durability and quality of that one.) This would allow me to make good tips and bases between center, but also work the horn body outboard with one tool. Doing these in batches would reduce the constant reconfiguring of my lathe. Shop space is also an issue at the moment.
Not sure whether I was helping or asking for help!
LOL
Maybe, just percolating out loud...
CS
ApprenticeBuilder
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When I purchased my lathe I was interested in the fact that it needed to fit on my bench, I purchased a 10" Grizzly, It does anything I'll ever want it to do and I don't mind manually changing belts.
To be completely honest though, I spent much more money on tooling than the lathe itself, a nice chuck and quality turning tools will set you back as much or more as the lathe.
Its a slippery slope.
To be completely honest though, I spent much more money on tooling than the lathe itself, a nice chuck and quality turning tools will set you back as much or more as the lathe.
Its a slippery slope.
CrackStock
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Does your Grizzly turn outboard? We customised one to do this and it has been very helpful for some projects.
ApprenticeBuilder
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No it does not, I bought the lathe to do smaller things and it has done that well, its a well enough made lathe, spins smoothly at high RPM, and weighs enough to stay put on the bench.
The best thing with the lower cost of the manual lathe is I was able to spend considerably more money on tooling, and I did, easily twice what I paid for the lathe new.
The best thing with the lower cost of the manual lathe is I was able to spend considerably more money on tooling, and I did, easily twice what I paid for the lathe new.
Ole Frog
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You guys have given me a lot to think about
I am about to pull the plug but I keep watching ads hoping a special one will pop up
I am leaning towards the Comet II (12 inch)
What we haven't discussed is tools
What do I need to look for in Chisels?
I am about to pull the plug but I keep watching ads hoping a special one will pop up
I am leaning towards the Comet II (12 inch)
What we haven't discussed is tools
What do I need to look for in Chisels?
Guest
The one thing I would advise against is buying a "set". You will usually wind up with a few tools you will seldom, if ever, use.
For starters, I would get a 1/2 or 3/8 spindle gouge, a half inch round nose scraper, and a half inch skew chisel. That will get you started, and before you know it, you will soon be caught in the one tool away from greatness vortex.
I have no experience with the various EZ Tools carbide tipped tools, but they have a following.
Whatever you get, get good. Buy from someone like Woodcraft, Rockler, or, my personal favorite, Packard Woodworks. Some of the tools you see on a certain well known online auction might seem like a good deal but it is pure junk. That doesn't mean you can't find good deals there, it just means you need to be careful.
When I bought my PM3520 it was around three grand. With the help of some hollowing rigs and a vacuum chuck set up, there is probably almost that much in tools to play with it. The only limitation is hard hard the bug bites you. In my case, it's everything from 16 inch diameter bowls to dollhouse scale lidded candy dishes.
For starters, I would get a 1/2 or 3/8 spindle gouge, a half inch round nose scraper, and a half inch skew chisel. That will get you started, and before you know it, you will soon be caught in the one tool away from greatness vortex.
I have no experience with the various EZ Tools carbide tipped tools, but they have a following.
Whatever you get, get good. Buy from someone like Woodcraft, Rockler, or, my personal favorite, Packard Woodworks. Some of the tools you see on a certain well known online auction might seem like a good deal but it is pure junk. That doesn't mean you can't find good deals there, it just means you need to be careful.
When I bought my PM3520 it was around three grand. With the help of some hollowing rigs and a vacuum chuck set up, there is probably almost that much in tools to play with it. The only limitation is hard hard the bug bites you. In my case, it's everything from 16 inch diameter bowls to dollhouse scale lidded candy dishes.
Guest
I forgot to mention, a parting tool.
ApprenticeBuilder
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I will second the Packard tool, spent a small fortune buying individual tools, well worth the money though as they hold an excellent edge.
Also purchased a "micro set" of turning tools as well as a set of forstner bits and an additional chuck for the tailstock.
You're only limited in your imagination and bank balance.
Also purchased a "micro set" of turning tools as well as a set of forstner bits and an additional chuck for the tailstock.
You're only limited in your imagination and bank balance.
CrackStock
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Bullfrog said:
I know nothing about the Comet II, so will avoid any comment on it aside from the fact that I see no outboard capability.
As to additional tools, you may need a good live center and drill chucks - depending on how you plan to do your work. I reverse my work more than some people might and use a variety of tools for this reason. Then you need a set of turning tools. I got a general set of 5 piece medium size from WoodCrafters which happened to be on a huge sale when we were driving back from Dixon's several years ago. I also bought another pair of varied sized skews which I use very often. I use every tool in the set. We also had some larger tools - parting and large spindle gouge which we use to round out very rough material.
You also need a couple of good books to learn safety and technique. Learning by doing is not safe and also costs you a lot in time, frustration and material waste. Learn to do it right. You will need tools for finding the center of your material. A compass can be used, but there are more convenient methods. Zero zero center finder is an example. Bullseye is another. I like either, but my buddy used the Zero zero and we standardized on it mostly.
You should be aware that the lathe itself and the few initial tools are the tip of the iceberg. This is an expensive endeavor. But, I enjoy this work very much and have made some neat items.
You should consider taking a class from Art DeCamp. Not cheap, but there are none better at this. My buddy took a couple of his classes and then we tried to apply those lessons in the shop for months after. Great stuff!
Good luck!
CS
Ole Frog
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Well fellas
I bought one tonight
its a Craftsman
much bigger than I was originally looking for
1 horse power Variable speed
36 inch spindles
12 inch bowl inboard
15 inch bowl outboard
He threw in a set of 6 chisels (Craftsman HSS)
It needs a little work but nothing major, mostly cleaning
still have a lot to learn but I appreciate all of the advice so far
These are the pics from the C L Ad
Had to drive 5 hours today
I bought one tonight
its a Craftsman
much bigger than I was originally looking for
1 horse power Variable speed
36 inch spindles
12 inch bowl inboard
15 inch bowl outboard
He threw in a set of 6 chisels (Craftsman HSS)
It needs a little work but nothing major, mostly cleaning
still have a lot to learn but I appreciate all of the advice so far
These are the pics from the C L Ad
Had to drive 5 hours today
Looks good. I see you have the vacuum dust catcher and a multi jawed chuck. Hope you got some face plates too.
Ole Frog
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He kept the chuck for his new lathe
I did get a 4 inch face plate & a spur drive center
I have been looking at the Nova G3 chuck threaded for 1-8
I will probably pull the trigger soon on it
I spent a few hours cleaning, oiling, and generally fixing it up.
I am super happy with it for half the price of the Comet II I was looking at
I dont think it has ever been used much
I did get a 4 inch face plate & a spur drive center
I have been looking at the Nova G3 chuck threaded for 1-8
I will probably pull the trigger soon on it
I spent a few hours cleaning, oiling, and generally fixing it up.
I am super happy with it for half the price of the Comet II I was looking at
I dont think it has ever been used much
Guest
Novas are good chucks. Chances are before long you will need extra jaws. Then, you will get tired of swapping them out all the time so you will get another chuck. And the slide down the slope will continue.
I would advise getting a few extra faceplates with a two inch diameter. Even though I do a few large bowls on occasion, I can't remember the last time I used anything bigger than a two inch faceplate.
I would advise getting a few extra faceplates with a two inch diameter. Even though I do a few large bowls on occasion, I can't remember the last time I used anything bigger than a two inch faceplate.
meanmike8665
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Hi,
Watch the Woodcraft website and wait for a sale on the G3 chuck. They run the sale regularly. Usually the one that goes on sale has extra jaws and is about $ 150.00 and is a $ 300.00 value. Don't forget the insert. If you have question send me a private email I would be happy to help.
Michael
Watch the Woodcraft website and wait for a sale on the G3 chuck. They run the sale regularly. Usually the one that goes on sale has extra jaws and is about $ 150.00 and is a $ 300.00 value. Don't forget the insert. If you have question send me a private email I would be happy to help.
Michael
Ya I have a delta, I guess I paid 200 for it or so , I use it all the time for duck calls and deer grunts, pens and making pegs for projects. My point is if you think your going to use it for one thing you won't . You'll make cool stuff.
B.t
B.t
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